Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Philippines SFTG Navigator

Phosphorus recovery from wastewater — Contribution to the transition to a Circular Economy

Sector: Waste and Water
Description

The recovery of phosphorus from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) (aqueous phase and sludge) and from materials (i.e. ashes) after thermal oxidation (i.e. incineration) of sewage sludge.

Scope of Assets

Construction, upgrade, operation and renewal of facilities for the recovery of phosphorous from wastewater and from materials (i.e. ashes) after thermal oxidation (i.e. incineration) of sewage sludge.

The economic activity only includes the facilities and processes that make phosphorus recovery possible, not the previous steps, such as wastewater treatment or incineration facilities.

PSIC/ISIC code

38300 - Materials recovery (ISIC 3830)

37000 - Sewerage (ISIC 3700)

42900 - Construction of other civil engineering projects (ISIC 4290)

Technical Screening Criteria

Substantial contribution criteria

The activity complies with all the following criteria:

  1. For the process integrated at the wastewater treatment plant, covering typically phosphorus salts such as struvite–magnesium ammonium phosphate (NH4MgPO4∙6H2O):
    • The phosphorus recovery process recovers at least 15% of the incoming phosphorus load.
    • Only the harvested material, such as struvite, is counted for the calculation of this threshold.
  2. For down-stream recovery after sewage sludge thermal oxidation with chemical phosphorus recovery or after sewage sludge thermal oxidation with thermo-chemical phosphorus recovery:
    • The process recovers at least 80% of the incoming phosphorus load from the respective input material, such as sewage sludge ash.
  3. The phosphorus extracted out of the system is used either as a component material in a fertilizing product compliant with national fertilizer legislation1, or in another field of application where the recovered phosphorus fulfils specified functions in accordance with the respective regulations.
  4. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is ensured for all personnel involved in operations.
Complementary measures and practices

Capacity building and training programs specifically on the following topics are eligible:

  • Occupational health and safety, and use of personal protective equipment
  • Technical and management training to ensure efficient phosphorous recovery
Exclusionary and ineligible practices
Do No Significant Harm (DNSH)
Minimum Social Safeguards (MSS)

Notes

  1. 1. Key regulations in the Philippines: - PNS/BAFS 183:2023 Organic Soil Amendments and Plant Supplements (OSAPS) - Product Standard —Specifications